away His ear was pleased. I didn't say any thing to Deerfoot, but
you know, young as we are, that in running back as far as our memories
will carry us there are some words and little occurrences that stick by
us forever. It is so with that question which was asked me by an
American Indian in the deep woods just as night was closing in about us;
his questions will cling to me if I live a hundred years."

"I nefer heard him speak just dot way," said Otto, who was in as serious
a mood as his companion, "but he said a good many dings to me and
sometimes to both of us which I forgets nefer--nefer--nefer! When he
left me and the Injins was as cruel almost as fader and moder, I dinks a
good deal apouts dem; when I was a layin' by de fire and not knowin'
weder dey wouldn't kill me, den I dinks apout dem again and prays hard;
when I swallers de tobacco and feels as if I was dead, den I prays agin
to Him and He makes me well and prings me owet all right; arter this I
nefer forgets to prays to Him."

There could be no misjudging the sincerity of Otto. Jack heard nothing
in his quaint accent which could cause him to smile. In truth he was
equally thoughtful.

"Most people are willing to call on God when they are in trouble or they
think death is close," was the truthful remark of the young Kentuckian,
"but it seems to me He must despise a person who forgets all about Him
when the danger goes by. I think if I was ashamed to profess Him before
others, He _ought_ to be ashamed of me when I came to die and called out
in my distress."

The conversation continued in this vein, until both awoke to the fact
that they were violating the orders of Deerfoot, by loitering on the
road; they had allowed valuable time to pass unimproved--that is
according to one view, but in another sense it could not have been
better used.

As if to make amends for their forgetfulness, it was agreed they should
cease talking for the time, and break into a moderate trot, which both
could maintain for half an hour or more without much fatigue. Jack took
the lead, and keeping the right direction, he struck the pace which
resembled that of Deerfoot, though it was not so rapid nor could he
maintain it for a tenth of the time the Shawanoe could run without
becoming tired.

The wood as a general thing was favorable, though the occasional
undergrowth cropping out of bowlders and rocks compelled some deviation
and delayed their advance. No water appeared until th